This head to head is one of the most difficult challenges yet, requiring near perfect manipulation of the controller.

Get things goin' with a Rocket Boost and then home in on the two enemies to cross the first gap.

After crossing the dinosaur, things start getting dicey. The moment you disembark, stay to the right to avoid the cacti. However, after you pass the third cacti, run towards the center to activate a switch on the ground (which changes the path ahead - this is required for a gold medal).

Immediately after, hit the speed boost and run along this second dinosaur; it should now lead you to the lower route, if not, restart the challenge and try again, if you're going for a gold medal.

Okay, if you thought things were tricky before, boy do we have news for you: this next sequence requires catlike reflexes and quick snaps of the wrist, and may require much practice in order to master. Just after getting off the second dinosaur, steer Sonic to the right, past the first iron ball, then to the left, past a second. Now quickly return Sonic to the center and make very short, but controlled movements to avoid the next two cacti.

Finally, there are three chests coming up. While they won't hurt you like a cacti, a collision with even one of this will be detrimental to you receiving a gold medal. Like with the cacti, use very quick, but controlled movements in the following pattern to avoid the chests: left, right, left. Once past, Sonic will automatically leap towards a platform below. Phew, you're past the most difficult part, but don't relax just yet. From the lower platform, jump and dash to the next one. From there, leap again, and use your homing attack to leapfrog from enemy to enemy to cross the gap. After the last enemy, perform another dash to skip the next platform and aim for the one right after.

Upon landing, immediately jump again, and home in on the next three enemies. After the third one is defeated, you'll find three more in the distance. Now this part can be tricky, because if you attack prematurely, you'll land in the water. As such, while hanging in the air, wait until the lock-on icon turns red on the far enemy before using your homing attack. Bounce from enemy to enemy, and perform a dash after the final one to make it to the goal.